Honest Review: Tisas Raider 1911

Want to own the last 1911 issued to the U.S. military? Prefer not to pay $10K? Well, do I have an Honest Review for you …

Türkiye has transformed itself into a global powerhouse of gun manufacturing in the last decade. This European country is now leading the way with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques that earn top international certifications for quality … and Tisas is one of the “Young Turks” leading the way. While the company offers several different pistols, it’s their 1911 offerings that have made the biggest impact with American shooters. It’s a full lineup of 1911 pistols for every kind of 1911 fanatic, from the basic GI model to full-blown race guns—and today, we’re talking about the Tisas Raider.

Tisas Issued Series

Tisas worked hard to faithfully create a new production version of the most iconic sidearm ever carried onto by the US Armed Forces. The Tisas 1911 A1 US Army is built to look and perform just like John Browning intended. Tisas’ Raider 1911 is a reproduction of the M45A1 CQB MARSOC pistol that was only issued for four years before it was retired. (It’ll probably have the distinction of being the last 1911 pistol issued by the U.S. Military evermore.)

How good can it be?

The Raider 1911 is meant to have the look and feel of the Colt MARSOC pistol, but at a budget-friendly price. I can hear the objections from the more sophisticated shooters in the room already: “Strike one for it being a Turkish pistol, and strike two for a budget gun.” But hear me out and get ready to clutch your pearls in disbelief.

The Raider features a hammer-forged frame and slide! Reportedly the actual Colt M45A1s were stainless steel, which could have been a contributing factor for the cracked frames and slides that the Marines were experiencing. The Raider basically has better bones than the original. Sure, stainless has slightly better rust protection, but forged steel is stronger and should outlast 99% of its users.

Would you believe me if I told you that Tisas does not use MIM (metal injection molded) parts in any of its 1911s? That’s the sort of quality usually only found in pistols costing twice as much. Even some larger U.S. 1911 manufactures can’t make that claim.

FDE Goodness

(You should know that, as the XDMAN, artisanal Cerakote is sort of “my thing,” and I’m exquisitely picky about it.) The Raider is Cerakoted in a flat dark earth that closely resembles the color of the original M45A1. Tisas did such a good job with their computer-controlled painting that from a few feet away you would swear you are looking at the real-deal Colt. They used the correct flathead-style Cerakote screws, to go with the G10 grips. Even the checkering and vertical stripes with one main center dark strip on the grips is true to form. The only things missing are the dot metric cage code and USMC engravings. Tisas was able to mimic the small U.S. that is engraved on the dust cover, paying homage to the original. Like the original, most of the small parts of the Raider are coated the same as the frame and slide. Just like the original, only the barrel, bushing, trigger, and sights were not coated FDE. Count the XDMAN satisfied.

Features

The Raider is available in both 9mm and 45 ACP.

Front and Rear serrations

Ambidextrous safety

Extended hi-ride beavertail grip

Skeletonized hammer

Solid trigger

Ships with two magazines

Has a lanyard loop at the heel

Picatinny rail

Anti tip followers

Polished feed ramps

Novak sight with three white dots

Lowered and flared ejection port

So am I finally going to talk about the price?

The Raider’s MSRP of $759 means that you’ll see it advertised at dealers for less; personally, I’ve seen it at $629—which is a steal for a gun of this quality. Remember that the official Colt Clone of the M45A1 will set you back around $3000, and even then, it won’t have the correct markings that the Government-issue pistols had. (Why? Because the Marine Corps requested that Colt remove U.S.M.C. from civilian versions of the pistols!)

Fun fact: You can buy actual Government issued real deal M45A1 CQBs that were returned to Colt on different auction sites. Bidding starts at a cool $4000 and steadily going up, with buy-now prices approaching five figures! If you put it in that perspective $629.99 is a fantastic choice if you want to get the feel and look of a short lived but iconic pistol. Find a dealer here.

—James the “XDMAN” Nicholas, Mr. UnPewFessional Himself!